Alcala de Henares Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Alcala de Henares
Alcala de Henares
Alcala de Henares
Alcala de Henares
Alcala de Henares

Take a stroll through the atmospheric streets of the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes and the home of one of Spain’s most elite universities.  

The UNESCO-protected city of Alcalá de Henares is an ideal daytrip from Madrid. Pretty plazas and grandiose sandstone buildings decorate the streets of the city’s old quarter, museums celebrate Spanish art and literature and restaurants serve up authentic tapas. Romans built a settlement in Alcalá de Henares in the 1st century B.C. and the Moors later turned it into a fortified town. In 1293 King Sancho IV of Castile established the University of Complutense, one of the world’s oldest universities.

Experience college life at the University of Alcalá, which occupies some of the buildings of the city’s first university. The magnificent Mudejar-style Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso houses the Paraninfo, the setting for the annual Miguel de Cervantes Prize ceremony. See the mausoleum of Cardinal Cisneros, an important university figure, at the Chapel of San Ildefonso. The Museum of Latin American Art of UAH has works by influential artists from Spanish-speaking countries.

Get acquainted with the fascinating life of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, at the Cervantes Birthplace Museum. Inside the Madre de Dios Dominican Convent, the Regional Archaeological Museum has everything from paleontological fossils to Bronze Age relics and Roman mosaics. A group of around 50 sculptures make up the Museum of Outdoor Sculpture of Alcalá, set outside the walls of the Archbishop’s Palace.

Dedicate time to visit other outstanding landmarks such as the Magisterial Cathedral, the burial place of Cardinal Cisernos and baptism site of Catherine of Aragon. Views from the cathedral tower are worth climbing the spiral staircase for. Enjoy more great views from the medieval Santa Maria Tower. Discover artistic influences from the Alhambra, Pompeii and plateresque traditions at Laredo Palace.

After a busy day, take a seat at the tapas bars situated on Calle Mayor and Plaza de Cervantes. Attend concerts, poetry readings and theater productions at the Corral de Comedias. Learn about the history of this 400-year-old theater on a guided tour.

Alcalá de Henares is about 22 miles (35 kilometers) east of Madrid. Getting here is quick and easy by catching the train from Madrid’s Atocha Cercanías station.

Barceló Torre de Madrid
Barceló Torre de Madrid
5 out of 5
Plaza de España, 18, Madrid
The price is ₹15,554 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹15,554
₹17,109 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,890 reviews)
"Great location and helpful staff. Upgraded to a suite. The hotel needs a refresh, but it does not really detract from being good. One thing that was annoying was the housekeeping was subpar. One day the raised the A/C thermostat and open a window. Another day they accidentally unplugged the refrigerator. ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Barceló Torre de Madrid
Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid
Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid
4 out of 5
Calle Serrano Jover 3, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,336 reviews)
"Clean room clean hotel Friendly staff Good breakfast buffet"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid
Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
3 out of 5
Avenida de Aragón 402, Madrid
The price is ₹5,395 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹5,395
₹5,934 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Madrid. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,118 reviews)
"A new property close to the airport. A good restaurant and easy check out. Free charging in the parkade if you have an EV"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gran View Apartments
Gran View Apartments
4 out of 5
C/ Gran Vía 48, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,166 reviews)
"Everything good except the elevator not working properly"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Gran View Apartments
Compostela Suites Apartments
Compostela Suites Apartments
3 out of 5
C/ Zambrana, 4, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (616 reviews)
"Noisy during the night. Halls are long and dark, which seems a little creepy, but close to the airport and clean"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Compostela Suites Apartments
Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
3.5 out of 5
Calle Gran Vía 47, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (366 reviews)
"Great location, just a-bit tired and you can hear everything going on in the corridors. So you are up early whether you like it or not."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Alcala de Henares

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

MrsLMeerkat

Fantatic town with lots of history. Excellent restaurants serving authentic food. Great place to visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very busy and also enjoyable town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Alcala is a very pretty small city with friendly people. I stay there when visiting for work and have even visited for vacations. The University, cathederal and Calle Mayor are a must to visit.

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